Forget iPods, DVDs and all those other hi-tech dressing room toys, Ricky Sbragia is poised to patent the perfect match day coaching tool. Frustrated by his players' persistent failure to comprehend pre-kick-off and half-time hints relayed by the electronic gadgetry at his staff's disposal, Sunderland's manager is considering an ingenious re-invention of a primary school staple. "Felt-tip pens," said Sbragia. "I think I'm going to have to write instructions on their hands in felt-tip pen: 'If we get a corner in the last minute play it short'."

It is a mantra the Scot has drummed into his charges since succeeding Roy Keane but Sunderland's self-destructive squad appear resolutely deaf and blind to both verbal commands and those transmitted via cutting edge on-screen imagery. Spurs duly equalised after counter-attacking from a last-minute home corner with Darren Bent crossing for Robbie Keane to earn Harry Redknapp's team a deserved point courtesy of a splendid volley.

Redknapp's strong suits are instinct and man management so it was no surprise when he ascribed Keane's Spurs rebirth since returning from Liverpool to basic psychology. "Robbie can get fitter and sharper and we've got to keep him on his toes and focused," explained Tottenham's manager. "But I make him feel important. I involve him a lot when I talk about how we play. I'll have a chat with him. I think he loves that. A bit of love, that's what it's about."

There was precious little of the stuff flowing between Sbragia and the hugely disappointing Djibril Cissé. The French striker, on loan from Marseille until the end of the season, was hauled off after repeatedly failing to hold the ball up.

With Sunderland, like Spurs, hovering five points above the relegation zone, falling out with Cissé seems a high risk strategy. Yet Redknapp – whose bold, late, switch to 3-4-3 paid dividends – seemed similarly unconcerned about upsetting Aaron Lennon as he deflated the growing hype suggesting the right winger is worthy of an England recall.

Much to Redknapp's chagrin, Lennon betrayed much exhilarating approach play with carelessly overhit crosses. "Aaron zips balls across the box and people say 'great cross' but he puts far too much pace on it for anyone to hit the ball unless it hits them," he reflected after watching substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko duck out of connecting with one Lennon missile.

"Unlike Aaron, David Beckham delivers great crosses but he can't run and dribble like Aaron. If Aaron had the whole package he'd be a £50m-£60m player but, at the moment, it's difficult for him."

Maybe Redknapp needs to scribble advice on the winger's hand. In felt-tip pen.